8 Ways You Can Help Fight The Drought In South Africa
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The world has witnessed an alarming rise in natural disasters in the last year. From floods to wildfires and heat waves to tropical cyclones, almost every corner of the globe has been hit hard by these calamities. In South Africa, drought has been affecting nearly half its population for almost two years. Although it is not yet as severe as in 2005 – when almost 50% of South Africans were left without drinking water – its effects are still being felt in many communities. Whether you live in South Africa or you’re simply concerned about this country and its people – there are many ways you can help fight the drought. Here are some simple suggestions that you may implement right away…
Change your morning routine.
When saving water, many people don’t think about what they do in their daily lives. One of the easiest things you can do to help the cause is to change your morning routine. Start by shaving or brushing your teeth with a sink bowl full of water instead of letting the tap run the whole time. Next, take shorter showers with a low-flow shower head. Also, try to avoid using a hose when you water your garden. If you have a pool, install a solar pump to avoid using power. These simple steps can make a big difference in saving water.
Turn off the tap while you brush your teeth.
As with the previous suggestion, this is another basic but easy way to help fight the drought. It may seem like a small detail but adds up in the long run. Every drop of water is precious in this situation, so if you can save even a little bit by turning off the tap while brushing your teeth, you’re doing great. As well as saving water, this also saves you money. So, not only are you helping the drought situation but also looking after your finances at the same time. What’s not to love about that?
Donate to those who need it more than you do
Many charities in South Africa are raising money to provide water for those struggling to access it. They also need to help people repair their water systems when the drought has damaged them. So, if you have some extra cash that you don’t need or want to use – it might be a good idea to donate it to the cause. This way, you can help the people of South Africa suffering right now. It might not solve the problem, but it will certainly assist those in need.
Help your local community build resilience.
It’s essential to help build resilience within your local community. You can fix leaky taps, not water your garden during peak hours, and replace your lawn with water-saving plants. You can also look into harvesting rainwater. This is a great way to save water and reduce your reliance on the city supply. It’s also really easy to do – so it’s not a process you have to get a plumber in to help with. You can even build your rain barrel at home with a few simple tools. This way, you can catch the rainwater and use it later to water your garden or do other household tasks. This may sound like a lot of work, but it’s not. All you have to do is buy a barrel and put it where it’s likely to get hit by rain. Then, it’s just a matter of catching that water and storing it away for later. It’s that simple – and you’ll be doing your part to help protect your community from the drought.
Talk to your friends and family about conserving water.
If you’ve a group of friends you think could help fight the drought, try to start a conversation about it. This can have a real impact. Once you start talking about it, you’ll find that everyone has ideas about what they can do to help. You might find that you can come up with some great plans this way and do much more than you thought. This is especially important if you live in a city. Many people don’t realize just how much water they use daily. Not only will you save money by conserving water, but you’ll also be helping to protect the water supply in your area.
Commit to a Zero-Water Shower
This may sound crazy, but it is possible to take a shower with no water at all. You have to be careful about how you do it. You can use a water-saving device, like a water-saving shower head or a water-saving faucet. These devices use less water than a regular shower head or faucet. You can also use a bucket to catch the water as it runs off you during the shower. Once you have enough water in your bucket, you can pour it out and use it later for cleaning or other things. Of course, this is not something that everyone can do. Some people may find it challenging to commit to this way of showering. But for those who can – it’s a great way to save water and fight the drought.
Install a Water Tank and Shower Timer
Another thing you can do is to install a water tank. This way, you can collect the rainwater from your roof and store it for later use. You can also use this water to fill your water tank during the rainy season. In this way, you can help to protect the water supply during the drought. You can also install a shower timer. This incredible device allows you to save water while you shower. You set how much time you want the water to run for, and it will automatically shut off when the time runs out. This way, you don’t waste water by letting it run while you’re not paying attention. These two elementary devices can save a lot of water in your home. If you install them, you don’t have to do anything special. They’re wholly automatic and will do the work for you while you go about your day.
Support organizations that are helping protect our water supply.
Many organizations in South Africa are fighting the drought. You can support these organizations by donating to them. Even a small donation can make a big difference when trying to help others. You may also be able to volunteer for these organizations. This is a great way to make a difference and support the people of South Africa. This can be as simple as helping to spread the word about the drought, or it could include something more formal like helping to repair damaged water systems. Whatever you do, you can make a real difference in the lives of others. And you can also help protect the water supply so it can be there for future generations.
Conclusion
While most of these tips are geared toward South Africans, the reality is that many of these tips can be applied to almost any region of the world. It doesn’t matter where you live – there’s no denying that we’re in the midst of a water crisis that only promises to get worse. There are many different reasons why water supplies are dwindling. From climate change to poor water management practices, there are a lot of various issues that affect our water supply. Fortunately, there are many ways that you can help fight the drought. So, if you can remember to turn off the tap while you brush your teeth or take shorter showers – you’ll be doing your part to protect our water supply.
